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Apu-rfect P.R. Stunt
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jul 2, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Jul 2, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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Last week everyone nerded out by creating their Simpsons characters. This week have some Springfield-style 3-dimensional fun by visiting the Kwik-E-Mart!
A dozen 7-Eleven's nationwide have transformed in to Springfield's favorite convenience store for the month. New York's is on 42nd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. What you'll find: a Radioactive Man comic, Buzz Cola, KrustyO's cereal, Squishees, Sprinklicious donuts, and a ton of references to past episodes (check out the old man in the freezer, and the above sign).
Sure, it's all marketing hype for the July 27th opening of The Simpsons Movie, but it's better than a billboard. The stores made the name switch early Sunday morning, and the locations had been kept a secret until then. As for the New York location, Geekanerd has already visited and taken some photos, check out their report here.
Newsday reports that the promotion isn't risk-free, as "the proprietor of Kwik-E-Mart is a man named Apu who speaks in a heavy Indian accent...and plays to stereotypes about convenience-store operators and Asian immigrants." Kumar Assandas, a 28-year-old franchisee whose parents immigrated from India, is running the Vegas Kwik-E-Mart and says, "I know it's a stereotype, but it doesn't bother me. Everybody knows it's a joke. I'm a big Simpsons fan myself, and maybe subconsciously it even inspired me to become a 7-Eleven owner."
One more thing: don't expect to find any Duff Beer there, the powers that be decided against bringing that product from cartoon to reality, as the movie is rated PG-13.
Photos via mlaaker's flickr and Geekanard.
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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